The world this week: Light and dark shades
(Baonghean.vn) - Unlike usual, this year Russian President Vladimir Putin held a large-scale year-end press conference with many new and strange things. A large-scale vaccination campaign has been deployed in the world's largest Covid-19 epidemic center - the US, blowing a new wind of hope in the fight against the pandemic.
2020 painting with many colors
President Putin's 2020 year-end press conference, a combination of a press conference with reporters and an online dialogue with the people, took place in a new format in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is also an opportunity for domestic and foreign press and Russian people to ask questions about issues of concern to one of the most powerful men in the world.
Like most world leaders in a pandemic-plagued year, President Putin had a mixed 2020. On the positive side, President Putin succeeded inchange the Russian Constitution, allowing him to run for two more presidential terms, if he wishes. Russia also continues to maintain its foreign policy in Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh, demonstrating its role as a key player in these conflicts.
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| President Vladimir Putin at his year-end press conference via online format. Photo: Tass |
But other developments cast a shadow over President Putin’s 2020: the collapse in oil prices has weakened the Russian economy and could be at further risk if global demand remains weak. Months of protests in Belarus againstPresident Lukashenkoshows the weakness of Russia - a key ally. The poisoning of opposition politician Alexei Navalny has led to the West maintaining sanctions against Russia. In addition, President Putin will face a new US president - one who will focus on rebuilding international relations, which could hurt the Russian leader.
All these colors occur in the context ofCovid-19 pandemic, the Russian economy is not “immune”, and President Putin's approval rating has fallen to its lowest level since 2014.
In the current context, Russian people are most concerned about social issues. Therefore, the most concerned topic in this year's press conference is the pandemic and all issues related to it such as vaccines, vaccinations, medicines, health care services, medical regimes, subsidy policies for people...
Russian scientists have been working hard to develop a Covid-19 vaccine as part of the international race to end the pandemic. The nameSputnik VIt is reminiscent of the space race, and a clear sign that President Putin hopes the vaccine will be a boost to Russia’s international reputation. However, even if the Russian vaccine is successful, the chemical attack on Navalny will likely be remembered as Russia’s most memorable “health story” of 2020.
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| Due to the impact of the pandemic, the number of domestic and foreign press present at the Moscow convention center is also limited. Photo: NBC News |
To address the pandemic, the Russian President stressed that the main task of the national health system is to ensure that the population has full access to the necessary medical resources.
Traditional topics were also mentioned such as roads, pensions, social benefits, etc. This year's press conference was held online, so the number of Russian and international journalists present in the hall of the Moscow International Trade Center was only about 250 out of nearly 800 registered. Journalists will work remotely.
Normally, President Putin's big year-end press conference and online interaction with the people lasts for several hours. And the record for a press conference so far is 4 hours and 40 minutes in 2008.
New wind, new hope
After months of skepticism, controversy, and conflict over the safety of the Covid-19 vaccine, the first doses of a vaccine authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have been delivered to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, less than a year after the pandemic first appeared in the US. An incredible feat, since most vaccines take years to develop. 636 health centers across the US have received the vaccine based on each state’s adult population.
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| The first batches of vaccines were quickly shipped to all 50 states across the US. Photo: CNN |
This is considered the most drastic and active anti-epidemic measure during his term.President Donald Trump. As for the American people, they also have more confidence in the vaccine, many even want to be among the first to be vaccinated. Even President Trump has encouraged people to get vaccinated, a move completely different from his reaction in the early days of the epidemic appearing in this country.
Deliveries are being made quickly. After leaving the factory, the vaccines are shipped to hospitals and other locations that can store them at extremely low temperatures, around -94 degrees Celsius. Pfizer is using containers with dry ice, and GPS-enabled sensors, to ensure the shipping temperature stays colder than in Antarctica.
This is great news for the whole of America, however, experts say that people should not be happy too soon, and even less so, should not be subjective in preventing the epidemic. Because what America has not done is reduce the number of new cases anddeaths from Covid-19.
The United States had mixed feelings on the day of widespread vaccination, which also saw the number of deaths surpass 300,000, a record number of deaths in a single day due to Covid-19. The epidemic curve in the United States has not shown any signs of being controlled. On average, over the past week, there have been 2,000 new cases each day, along with 2,500 deaths each day. The numbers are alarming. The rate of new infections and deaths is increasing at an unprecedented rate, meaning Americans have to hunker down for the winter. Health officials warn that vaccines cannot make the epidemic go away quickly. The United States still faces a bleak winter as the epidemic continues to rage.
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| Americans get vaccinated against Covid-19. Photo: CNN |
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, warned that people should not think that the arrival of a vaccine means the end of the pandemic.
“I don’t believe we can throw away masks and forget about social distancing. We will continue to avoid large gatherings for a while, probably until late fall and early winter 2021.”
In addition to Pfizer's vaccine, the FDA has granted emergency use authorization for Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine, saying the benefits of the Moderna vaccine outweigh its risks for people 18 and older.
Unlike Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine, which must be transported and stored at extremely low temperatures, Moderna’s vaccine does not require specialized ultra-cold freezers or large amounts of dry ice. This makes it easier to deliver Moderna’s vaccine to rural and remote areas. By the end of 2020, the US is expected to have about 40 million doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, enough to vaccinate 20 million people.